Square is popular among Australian small businesses because it is easy to set up and offers free entry-level POS software. For market stalls, mobile businesses, small retailers and venues with basic checkout requirements, it can be an affordable way to start accepting payments.
The cost comparison changes when a business needs more advanced functions. Some of Square’s stronger restaurant and retail features require a paid plan, while payment processing remains tied to Square. A POS system with a monthly subscription may provide better value if more of the required features are already included.
The five best Square POS alternatives in Australia for 2026 are POSApt, Zeller, Lightspeed, Hike and Shopify POS. Each serves a different purpose, from keeping payments simple to managing restaurants, inventory or eCommerce in greater detail.
Square Alternatives in Australia at a Glance
| POS System | Best Suited To | Starting Software Price* | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| POSApt | Hospitality and retail businesses | $66 per month | Most core POS features included at a competitive price |
| Zeller | Small businesses focused on payments | $0 per month | Simple POS and EFTPOS without a software subscription |
| Lightspeed | Established hospitality venues | $79 per month | Advanced restaurant operations and reporting |
| Hike | Inventory-focused retailers | $79 per month billed annually | Detailed stock and multi-store management |
| Shopify POS | Online and physical retailers | Shopify plan from $56 per month | Connected eCommerce and in-store selling |
*Prices are in AUD and were checked in September 2026. Hardware, card processing, additional registers and optional services may cost extra.
Looking for a Square POS Alternative?
Switch to POSApt for lower costs, integrated EFTPOS, inventory management, online ordering, and local Australian support.
Explore POSAptWhy Consider an Alternative to Square?
Square’s standard POS software is free, but the free starting price does not show what every business will eventually pay.
A small operator using Square for simple payments may not need anything more. However, restaurants and established retailers often require stronger reporting, staff controls, kitchen management, inventory tools or multi-location functions. These requirements can lead to a paid Square plan or additional services.
Businesses may also look for a Square alternative because they want:
- More POS features included in one package
- A choice of payment providers
- Different card processing arrangements
- More advanced restaurant workflows
- Direct online ordering
- Stronger purchasing and inventory management
- Greater control across multiple locations
- An existing eCommerce platform connected to the POS
The right comparison is therefore not simply free POS against paid POS. Businesses need to compare the complete cost of the software, payments and additional functions required for everyday operation.
5 Best Alternatives to Square POS in Australia
1. POSApt
Best for: Businesses that want more POS features included at a competitive monthly price
POSApt is an Australian cloud-based POS platform and can be a great alternative to Square POS for businesses looking for a reliable and feature-rich system. Starting at $66 per month for the POS software, POSApt includes most of the core functions an established business is likely to need.
Square has the price advantage when a business only uses its free entry-level functions. However, some of its stronger restaurant and retail capabilities require a paid plan. POSApt charges a monthly subscription from the beginning, but includes a wider range of operational features in its main package.
This can make POSApt less expensive overall for businesses that would otherwise need to move to a paid Square plan or combine Square with additional services.
What Does POSApt Include?
Depending on the business and setup, POSApt can provide:
- Table management
- Kiosks
- Product modifiers
- Split payments
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Customer loyalty
- Sales and business reporting
- Mobile reporting access
- Separate Order App
- KDS & Digital Signage
- Kitchen docket printing
- Accounting integration
- 24/7 Australian support
These functions allow restaurants and retailers to manage more of their operation within the standard POS system. Specialised products such as kitchen displays, kiosks and digital signage are also available when required with an extra monthly subscription.
Hospitality and Online Ordering
For cafés, restaurants and takeaway businesses, POSApt can manage counter, table, online and QR code orders through one connected system. Orders can be sent directly to the appropriate kitchen printer or display screen.
POSApt also offers online ordering with a branded WordPress website designed for the individual venue. This gives restaurants and cafés a direct ordering channel that reflects their own brand.
Payment Provider Flexibility
Square POS is designed to operate with Square Payments. POSApt supports a choice of compatible payment providers, allowing businesses to compare processing rates, settlement arrangements and existing banking relationships.
This becomes particularly important as payment volume increases. A small difference in the transaction rate can outweigh the monthly cost of the POS software.
When Can POSApt Be Cheaper Than Square?
POSApt will not automatically be cheaper for every business. Square can remain more economical for a market stall or small shop using only its free functions.
POSApt can provide better overall value when the business needs:
- A paid Square restaurant or retail plan
- More operational functions than the free plan includes
- Greater payment processing flexibility
- Loyalty and customer management
- Detailed inventory and staff controls
- Direct online ordering
- Included 24/7 support
Square has the lower advertised entry price. POSApt can have the lower practical cost when the comparison includes all the features needed to operate the business.
2. Zeller
Best for: Small businesses that want simple POS and payment processing
Zeller is one of the closest Square alternatives for businesses that want to keep their setup straightforward. It provides EFTPOS terminals, business transaction accounts and free POS software within the same ecosystem.
Zeller POS Lite runs directly on compatible Zeller terminals. Businesses can create products, apply discounts, accept payments and issue receipts without setting up a separate countertop POS.
The full Zeller POS app can be used on supported iPad and Android devices. It includes product management, basic inventory, modifiers, cash sales, kitchen docket printing and real-time reporting.
Why Choose Zeller Over Square?
Zeller may appeal to businesses comparing transaction rates, terminal prices or settlement arrangements. Its built-in POS Lite also allows simple sales and payments to be managed through a compact terminal.
It can be suitable for:
- Small retailers
- Market stalls
- Mobile businesses
- Coffee shops
- Food trucks
- Simple counter-service venues
Both Zeller and Square provide free entry-level POS software closely connected to their own payment services. Moving from Square to Zeller may change the payment costs and hardware arrangement, but it will not necessarily provide a major increase in operational features.
What Should You Consider?
Zeller is a good alternative when the priority is keeping POS and payment processing simple. It is less suitable for complex table service, advanced inventory purchasing or detailed multi-location management.
Businesses that want complete freedom to choose their payment provider may also prefer a more independent POS platform.
3. Lightspeed
Best for: Restaurants, bars and multi-location hospitality businesses
Lightspeed Restaurant is designed for venues that need more operational depth than a general small-business POS.
It supports table plans, course management, bill splitting, bar tabs, pay-at-table and takeaway orders. It also provides hospitality reporting, loyalty functions, accounting integrations and multi-location management.
Lightspeed’s Starter plan begins at $79 per month for one register. Higher plans and optional features are available for businesses requiring more extensive management tools.
Why Choose Lightspeed Over Square?
Lightspeed is a stronger option when the POS needs to control the flow of restaurant service. Staff can open and transfer tables, organise courses, split bills and manage different order types through one system.
Its offline capability is also valuable for venues that need to continue operating during an internet interruption. Information can be synchronised when the connection returns.
Lightspeed may be suitable for:
- Full-service restaurants
- Busy bars and pubs
- Multi-location hospitality groups
- Venues with complex menus
- Businesses needing detailed hospitality reporting
What Should You Consider?
Lightspeed’s starting subscription may not represent the complete monthly cost. Additional registers, kitchen displays, customer-facing screens, gift cards, reservations and advanced inventory functions can carry separate charges.
Businesses should request a complete quote based on every register, location, screen and integration they plan to use.
Lightspeed can justify the higher cost in a complex hospitality operation. For a small counter-service café, it may provide more functionality than the business needs.
4. Hike
Best for: Retailers that need detailed inventory management
Hike is a retail-focused POS system that combines checkout, product management, inventory, customer records, suppliers and reporting.
Its inventory capabilities are the main reason to consider it as a Square alternative. Retailers can manage product variants, purchase orders, supplier records and stock transfers between stores.
This makes Hike suitable for clothing shops, gift stores, specialty retailers and other businesses carrying a substantial product catalogue.
Why Choose Hike Over Square?
Square Retail can be sufficient for smaller shops with straightforward stock requirements. Hike becomes more relevant when purchasing and inventory movement require greater control.
Hike can also integrate with platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing businesses to coordinate physical and online sales without moving every part of the operation into one provider’s ecosystem.
It may be suitable for retailers that need:
- Detailed product variants
- Purchase order management
- Supplier records
- Stock transfers
- Multi-location inventory
- Online store integration
- Flexible payment integrations
- Unlimited products and users
What Should You Consider?
Hike is primarily designed for retail. It is not intended for detailed table service, course management or kitchen operations.
Its entry-level plan supports a single outlet, while multi-store retailers require a higher subscription. Businesses should check which inventory functions and integrations are included in the selected plan.
Hike is most valuable when inventory management is the main reason Square no longer meets the business’s requirements.
5. Shopify POS
Best for: Retailers that already sell online through Shopify
Shopify POS connects physical retail with the Shopify eCommerce platform. Products, customers, orders and inventory can be managed through the same environment.
Basic in-person selling is included with paid Shopify subscriptions. Businesses requiring more advanced physical retail functions can add POS Pro for each store location.
POS Pro includes staff roles, detailed permissions, stock transfers, customer profiles, retail reporting and cross-location returns.
Why Choose Shopify POS Over Square?
Shopify POS is particularly useful when eCommerce is already central to the business. When a product sells in-store, the same inventory used by the online shop can be updated.
This makes it easier to provide services such as click and collect while keeping customer, order and stock information in one system.
Shopify POS may be suitable if you need:
- Shopify eCommerce and physical retail together
- Shared online and in-store inventory
- Click and collect
- Stock transfers
- Cross-location returns
- Customer profiles
- Multi-channel reporting
- Access to Shopify’s app ecosystem
What Should You Consider?
The total cost can include the main Shopify subscription, payment processing and POS Pro for each location requiring advanced retail functions.
Additional transaction fees may apply when a business uses a third-party payment provider. Retailers should calculate the complete cost before deciding that Shopify will be less expensive than Square.
Shopify POS provides the most value when online sales are important. A physical store with no substantial eCommerce operation may find Square, Zeller or another retail POS more economical.
Which Square Alternative Is Best for Your Business?
Choose POSApt if you want most core hospitality or retail POS functions included in one competitively priced package.
Choose Zeller if you want to retain a free POS model while comparing EFTPOS hardware and transaction rates.
Choose Lightspeed if you operate a complex restaurant, bar or multi-location hospitality business.
Choose Hike if inventory, suppliers, purchasing and stock transfers are the main priorities.
Choose Shopify POS if your physical stores need to operate as part of an established Shopify eCommerce business.
What Should You Compare Before Switching?
Before selecting a Square alternative, ask each provider to price the same complete setup.
Check:
- Monthly POS subscription
- Card processing rates
- Required hardware
- Additional register charges
- Kitchen display costs
- Online ordering or eCommerce fees
- Loyalty and gift card charges
- Staff and inventory features
- Setup and data migration
- Training and ongoing support
- Contract and cancellation terms
Businesses should also test the functions staff use every day. A restaurant can test modifiers, table transfers, split payments and kitchen orders. A retailer can test variants, returns, purchase orders and stock transfers.
This provides a more reliable comparison than selecting a system based only on its advertised starting price.
Final Thoughts
Square remains a good choice for Australian businesses that need free entry-level POS software, straightforward payments and an uncomplicated setup.
However, free software does not always produce the lowest total cost. Restaurants and retailers requiring more advanced functions may need to move to a paid Square plan or add other services.
POSApt is a strong alternative because most core POS functions are included within a competitively priced monthly package. Zeller retains the simple, subscription-free model. Lightspeed provides more advanced hospitality management, Hike focuses on inventory-driven retail, and Shopify POS connects physical stores with eCommerce.
The best Square POS alternative is the system that provides the required features at the lowest complete operational cost—not necessarily the one with the lowest advertised starting price.
More Resources:
